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How does electrostatic separation sort mineral particles with different electrical charges?

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mineral processing Schematic diagram of a flotation separation cell.

In the context of mineral processing, electrostatic separation is a method used to sort particles based on their electrical properties and, when applicable, their size.1

When mineral particles possessing different electrical polarities are introduced into an electrical field, they experience forces that cause them to follow distinct motion trajectories. Because these particles move along different paths based on their charges, they can be effectively captured and separated into individual streams.1

This technique is widely utilized in plants that process heavy mineral sands containing zircon, rutile, and monazite. Additionally, it is employed for the cleaning of specific iron ore and cassiterite concentrates, as well as for the separation of cassiterite-scheelite ores.1